Vince Young says he’s returning for senior season

Texas quarterback Vince Young is leaning on returning for his senior season.

Young, a serious challenger for the Heisman Trophy, made his strongest comments Monday about returning to the Longhorns in 2006.

“Basically I’m coming back,” Young said. “You’ve got to leave (turning pro) open, but right now my heart is saying to come back. That decision, I’m not really thinking about it right now. I’m worried about Oklahoma State.”

Young is likely to be invited along with USC’s Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, last year’s Heisman winner, for the Dec. 10 ceremony in New York City.

Young has thrown for 1,596 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 458 yards and six more scores to lead the No. 2 Longhorns to a 7-0 start and the top spot in the Bowl Championship Series rankings released Monday.

The Longhorns traditionally don’t have players leave for the NFL early, with Ricky Williams, Roy Williams and Derrick Johnson among the notable to return for their senior seasons under coach Mack Brown.

Of course that could all change if Young is guaranteed to be a high first round pick as a quarterback next April.